The HIV-1 Tat protein is an reverse transcription co-factor.

Funding Activity

Website
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/389826

Funding Status
Closed

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Funded Activity Summary

HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. In order for HIV-1 to grow, the viral genetic material must be converted into a form that is compatible with a human host. Specifically, the HIV-1 genetic material is made of RNA while the human genome is composed of DNA. An HIV-1 enzyme called reverse transcriptase (RT) is used for this purpose. We have discovered that another HIV-1 protein called Tat is also required for the efficient conversion of HIV-1 RNA into HIV-1 DNA. If HIV-1 lacks Tat, then this transformation process is inefficient and HIV-1 is not able to grow. Recently our group made a breakthrough discovery on how Tat works. Tat can directly bind to RT and stimulate the conversion process. This research is aimed at a detailed analysis of Tat and RT interaction. This information is required in order to understand how this interaction can be blocked in order to stop HIV-1 growth. In the long-term, results produced by this research will be required to discover novel drugs to combat HIV-AIDS.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2006

End Date: 01-01-2008

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $404,592.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Medical Virology

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

HIV treatment | HIV/AIDS | biochemistry | molecular biology | protein purification | protein-protein interaction | viral replication

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